Factory Blast in Himachal's Baddi-Barotiwala Sparks Worker Protests

Three workers were injured in a blast at a Wipro Enterprises factory in Himachal Pradesh's Baddi-Barotiwala. The incident spurred worker protests over alleged lack of safety equipment. Sunil Thakur, one of the injured, was referred to a Chandigarh hospital. The company pledges an investigation.

Three individuals sustained injuries in an explosion at the Wipro Enterprises factory in Jharmajri village, located in Himachal Pradesh's Baddi-Barotiwala industrial area, officials reported on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday but gained public attention the following day when workers halted operations to protest at the factory gate, demanding better safety measures and criticizing the management's disregard for worker welfare, according to officials.

Sunil Thakur, Rajiv, and a trainee suffered burn injuries, with Sunil being referred to PGI Chandigarh for advanced treatment. Rajiv stated that the blast was triggered during the preparation of a shaving cream mixture.

Harbans Rana, General Secretary of the INTUC Federation, visited the site and engaged with the injured after news of the blast and protests went viral on social media. The police became aware of the situation only after Rana lodged a formal complaint.

Workers accused the management of negligence, citing the absence of basic safety gear like gloves, and demanded the enforcement of proper safety protocols. However, Wipro Enterprises disputed these claims.

In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to worker safety and described the incident as unfortunate. They assured that immediate medical attention was provided and promised a thorough investigation to determine future preventive measures.

(With inputs from agencies.)